MANILA, Philippines — For Ellen Adarna, Cebu’s Temple of Leah is not just a grand gesture of love from her grandfather to her grandmother but also a reminder of how she wants to choose her man.
In her interview with Melai Cantiveros’ “Kuan On Juan,” Ellen talked about her late grandmother and why the Temple of Leah, one of the popular tourist destinations in Cebu, came into being.
According to Ellen, her grandfather Teodorico Adarna had it built to serve as a storage space for her grandmother’s lavish collections, including valuable family heirlooms.
“Actually, ang lola ko hoarder siya. Hindi talaga ‘to dapat tourist spot. Originally hindi talaga kasi ang daming gamit ng lola ko sa bahay,” Ellen said in Bisaya.
“Dahil maldita ‘yung lola ko, sabi niya, ‘Kung ibebenta niyo ang gamit ko, mumultuhin ko kayo lahat!’ Ang dami niyang drama na ganu’n,” she added.
Her grandfather then built the temple in Busay as a tribute to her grandmother.
“So naisip ng lolo ko sige ‘yung lupa sa Busay gawan na lang natin ‘yan ng storage. So ‘yan storage talaga siya ng kanyang gamit. Storage siya pero ginawang ganun ang design. Trip lang din ng lolo ko kasi wala siyang magawa,” she said.
“Tapos, bigla na lang ‘yung mga tao pumupunta du’n. Magde-date, magpi-picture. So ginawa na lang siyang negosyo,” she added.
Because of the temple, Ellen said that her grandfather’s gesture made her have high standards when it comes to choosing her man.
“Kaya mataas ang standards ko sa lalaki kasi ‘yung lola ko binigyan ng temple,” she said.
“Pinalanganan lang na Temple of Leah kasi gamit niya ‘yun lahat. Nilagay du’n lahat na hinoard niya.
“Ako ang eldest, and then only girl. Ang lola ko isa lang ang anak niya na babae. Tapos ang kanyang dalawang apo at that time before me, are Manila-based na babae so ako lang ang nasa Cebu.
“So ako ‘yung kinuha niya. So du’n ako lumaki sa lola ko. Du’n ako nag-mana. Ang aking pagka-maldita at pagka-matapang kay Leah ko namana.”
RELATED: Ellen Adarna explains why Temple of Leah entrance fee too pricey
